Anyway for me, I didn't see any difference in grip or finger placement between the two.

But then again. I do most of my pistol/revolver shooting with one had. When I do shoot with two hands its normally in competition where I use mostly a combination of the two, depending on targets and if I'm moving.

Main thing is go to the range and see. See what is comfortable and how you shoot. You're targets will tell you more then us guys on the internet.

The "school" teachings of Weaver has one resting and locking down the shooting hand thumb on top of the manual safety, with the weak hand gun thumb below the safety. Part of the recoil control of the Weaver stance has to do with the firm shooting hand grip.

John Farnum, whose classes I've taken, is a thumbs up shooter all the way.
His simple advice to put both thumbs up, one in front of and one in back of the safety works just fine. It also allows the palm of the hand to more fully depress the grip safety, if that's a concern.

Now days, everyone who shoots "Weaver" seems to use a modified version of it, rather than the original "pure" form.

I can understand demonstrating a specific handhold for a new pistol shooter or attempting to correct something for a not-so-new pistol shooter. Beyond that the hand position should be as much or more a function of the physical characteristics of the shooter. We're all built differently with different weaknesses and strengths.....just take a look at Arnold Palmer's golf swing and you'll better understand my point.

Why would you be switching back and forth between stances?
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I do because they tell me that when in an actual lethal encounter one may not have the luxury of getting cozy in his/her favorite stance. You might have to deal with the problem with your feet where they are.

Take any stance and swing as far left as you can go with gun extended without moving feet. That's Weaver (for right handed shooter).

Now swing to the right as far as you can---you'll have to turn your torso as you keep your feet in place and you'll be in Isosceles, or close to it. Only when your target is in front of you will you get to choose your favorite position.

That may work out for you most of the time, but not always.

I also practice one handed shooting. That's the only way you're going to get on a target back at 4 o'clock without moving your feet. Also the only way you'll get on a target to your right as you move left.

Most of my shooting is with a somewhat modified Weaver at targets to the relative front, but that's my comfort zone.

Having been throroughly schooled in the Weaver both in the USMC military police and early 90's law enforcement training and then the agressive isoceles in the mid to late 90's, there was a distinct difference in the way the thumbs were aligned. With the agressive isoceles, the thumbs pointed towards the target. I remember when taught this thinking it was strange and awkward. It took some serious getting used to but soon became second nature.

Thanks for the great tip displaying intellect of such high caliber, even if it comes across as a bit snippy.

However, I already know how to move my feet, but the point is that moving the feet, rather than just the gun, takes MUCH longer. One may not have time if Bubba and his friends have positioned themselves advantagiously. One can pivot to extreme right or left FAR more quickly than having to reposition the feet (and whole body along with them).

If you're dependent on having your feet in a fixed position, you're not moving them fast enough when you are moving.

Not sure I understand your point. I thought those who always have to reposition their feet so they're facing the target are the ones who are more dependent, and those able to shoot in a direction the feet aren't positioned for (if NECESSARY) are less dependent on a fixed position.

Shooting on the move is a different issue. Going left frometarget neccesitates one handed shooting, going right from target allows two hands. Only thing the feet are doing is hot footin you the H#%$ outta there.

That would be news to all the shooters that can successfully move from right to left at speed while shooting.

OK, my fault for not being more precise. I'm talking about RUNNING from right to left while shooting on the move while attempting to get the hell out of there. If you want to shoot two handed, then be sure and practice while you're backing up at a snails pace.

Not talking about lateral movement, or any other footwork while engaging the target to the front. Gabe Suarez as a good tape that shows the technique very well.

You're essentially shooting the target as you run by. Right to left requires one handed as the gun stays on the target. The more acute the angle to the target as you go from right to left, the farther rearward the gun will be pointed in relation to your moving body's position.

I was surprised at how well, with a little practice, you can run by a target and pump it full of bullets.

The shooting takes place before you pass the target, while you're passing the target, and after you've passed the target.

Goin the other way, from left to right, allows for two handed shooting.

If the situation calls for a flat out run, maybe you should just worry about doing that to the best of your ability.

Well, Rehab, with all the shorty witty replies, that hint of (but don't go far enough to demonstrate) superior intellect and knowledge of the subject, I'm taken aback at your failure to grasp the simple fact that I'm not describing a tactical philosophy. Just another tactic that could be used IF the situation requires it---- same as just running flat out if the situation requires it.

You sound like an ol' retired geezer (like me) who likes to amuse himself, from time to time, while playing with the keyboard and trifling with fellow board members. And your dry sense of humour reminds me of me.

Gilfo,
Just looking at the body mechanics I would think that it makes a difference between thumbs up and thumbs forward for Weaver or Isosceles.

If you were to assume the Isosceles "stance" with both arms thrust forward but then attempted to do "thumbs up" it would create a lot of unnecessary strain - if it's even possible. You'd probably have to rotate your support hand back towards horizontal to achieve it as your thumb does NOT bend up far enough to do this with your wrist angled down.

The same would apply starting with a Weaver and then attempting to hold thumbs forward. And Weaver - not just meaning left foot a bit in front of the other - but (for right handed) left elbow bent, right elbow straight/nearly straight. It's much easier for the thumb to point upwards if your elbow is bent and forearm is pointing upwards too.

So it may be that these thumb positions are more of a result of the rest of body positioning rather than playing an active role in the grip. The question may be: so we've chosen a good firing grip. Where can we put the thumbs so that they won't interfere with anything? Where will they be more relaxed? Can we keep them handy to work the controls?

There are shades of grey in between the two "stances". Who knows what "stance" we'll be in if we ever really have to use a firearm but in order to learn I believe you have to have a starting point. Something to analyze and see the wisdom / limitations in. Good idea studying the particulars of grip.

As a previous poster mentioned - you can experiment. It may be that your hand size + particular gun makes 1 hold easier than another. Is the grip too wide for _ ? Do you accidentally hit the mag release when you do _?

In general when I'm experimenting if something creates muscular strain - or is dependent on muscular effort then it's good to remember that it could affect accuracy. If your aiming is dependent on muscular strength (rather than alignment) what happens when that muscle gets tired? Some muscles tire sooner than others.

Didn't mean to write novel. But I too have had question about particular issues of grip - especially when it seems like The Basics of good grip (according to whatever competitor puts out a Youtube video) changes depending on the grip you use. Basics/Fundamentals aren't supposed to change.

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